Back Each Other Up

“People are so lazy regarding the things of God that those of us who love and serve him need to back each other up if any of us are going to make any progress on the path.” Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)

Late Monday afternoon I was running up the central staircase of St. Scholastica’s Tower Hall on the way to my office where I planned to drop off the day’s meeting notes and then head on home. One of my friends was coming down the same staircase, and her face lit up when she saw me. “Hi, how are you?” she said. “I’ve been reading your blog, and I’m wondering how the meeting with your pastor went last week.”

Teresa says it’s important that we back each other up when it comes to the spiritual life, and I’ve been thinking for the last forty-eight hours how very much it means to have friends who are supporting me on the journey.

Last week my pastor and I talked about ways to use my spiritual direction training at the church, and it can be counted as one of the most stimulating conversations I’ve had in a long, long time. Also, an amazing thing happened during the meeting, something Teresa would have understood. The Holy One stepped into the room with us for awhile—the door did not open or close, but Someone Else was there for a time—and later on we went back to two from three. During the whole conversation I had the sense I was in the right place at the right time, just where I was meant to be.

Added to the blessing of this conversation is the blessing of friends who care about me, ask questions, and back me up. I am so thankful for everything that has happened this week, and I am especially grateful for a chance meeting on the stairs at the end of the day…

What a gift!